56th Aklan Day Celebration

                     by AMBROSIO R. VILLORENTE

Picture shows the very important persons watching the civic military parade during the Aklan Day Celebration on Wednesday, April 25. Among them are Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores, Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo, Ms. Victoria Ramos-Antonino and her sister Ms. Aquino, former Bayan partylist representative Risa Hontiveros-Baracquel, and Capiz Gov. Vic Tanco among others. 

The float of the town of Nabas depicts its fiber crop called “bariw” manufactured into mats, so comfortable to use in sleeping. The float is made more attractive by its pretty muse

Picture above shows the float of the Municipality of Malinao with its pretty muse. The float depicts the agricultural crops cultivated and produced in the Municipality of Malinao such as abaca and nito, made into various handicrafts. The float also exhibits fruits and vegetable grown in Malinao.  

Float of the town of Lezo depicting its agricultural crops grown and various clay products, and the rice cake (ampaw).

Above is the float of Banga depicting its agricultural crops like corn, squash, calamansi, sweet potato, pineapple, macopa, and kinds of flowers.

       Some VIPs during the 56th Aklan Foundation Day. They are Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Capiz Gov. Vic Tanco, Sen. Franklin Drilon, AGHAM Party List Representative Palmones, Kasangga Party List Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco, Aklan Vice Gov. Gabrielle V. Calizo-Quimpo, Ms. Victoria Ramos-Antonino, her sister Ms. Aquino, former partylist representative Risa Hontiveros-Baracquel and former Cong. Allen S. Quimpo.

The 56th Aklan Foundation Day celebration held on Wednesday, April 25 consisted of a Thanksgiving Mass solemnized at Saint John The Baptist Cathedral in Kalibo. The holy mass over, the civic military parade followed. It lasted for two hours. It began at Pastrana Park, passed Archbishop Reyes Street, to A. Mabini Street, turned left at D. Maagma Street, turned right to Quezon Avenue and finally ended at G. Ramos Park.

On the theme: “Building Capabilities Towards Greater Challenges To Aklan”, Governor Carlito S. Marquez in his commemorative speech enumerated the advances Aklan and the Aklanons has accomplished. Marquez pointed out what and how the Province of Aklan ranks ahead among other provinces in Westen Visayas and in the Philippines in general. Marquez pointed out Aklan’s success in local governance, tourism industry, agriculture and poverty alleviation among others. 

The commemorative program was held in the ABL sports complex. It was well attended especially by teachers and officials of DepEd Aklan led by its Schools Division Superintendent. Dr. Jesse M. Gomez.

The guest of honor and commemorative speaker, DOTC Sec. Mar A. Roxas was not able to come. He sent his undersecretary to convey to the Aklanons his congratulatory message and read his prepared speech. 

Sen. Franklin Drilon who, in his short speech, extended his sincere congratulations to the Aklanons. He reviewed his past and long association with the leadership in Aklan. He assured his all out support to projects Aklan wishes to implement. 

Kasangga Party List Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco turned over a mobile food store to Gov. Marquez. He also distributed wheel chairs to children with disabilities and some P200,000 in check.

Vice Governor  Billie V. Calizo Quimpo delivered a highly scholarly speech which touched on excellent local governance and relevant local legislation responsive to local needs. 

The floats from Banga, Nabas, Lezo, Ibajay, and Kalibo portrayed their respected agricultural crops and industry.

These floats reflect the contents of the booths of the respective municipalities in the Agri Industrial Fair which opened Wednesday, April 25 and will remain open until April 29.

There is also a nightly tsibugan at the park which features the Aklan delicacies that will satisfy the gastronomic needs of the visitors. /MP